Profile Evaluation and Comments on Career Goals

Expert replies

becnil: MBA Student; Posts: 170; Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:01 amFollowed by: 8 members; Location: Durham, NC; Thanked: 20 times; GMAT Score:740

by becnil » Wed Dec 15, 2010 3:24 pm

Hello,

I am requesting some advice on my profile as well as my career goals, as I have put in my applications:

Indian, Male, 32, Transportation Engineer, 3 yr exp in public infrastructure in India (including 3 months on a USAID project in Afghanistan), 4 yrs exp in traffic safety and public projects with the State of California. Current position - Team Lead.

Education:
BE (Civil Eng.) from Bengal Engg College, India (Ranked 2nd in a class of 79)
MS (Civil Eng.) from Wayne State University, US (GPA 4.0)

GMAT: 740 (Q-50, V-40, AWA-6.0). Extra-curriculars: Run a small personal fundraiser for supporting education of needy children in India, library volunteer in US for last 7 months, organized diversity events and started soccer club at work, active with alumni association for UG College in US.

Career Goals:
Long-term - launch an organization which would provide financial & strategic advice to governments and public sector of developing countries on infrastructure projects.
Short-term - work for an international development organization such as the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank, to acquire further skills in infrastructure finance and governance.

Schools applied & applying:
Stanford, Wharton, Chicago Booth, Duke Fuqua, Berkeley Haas, Kellogg, Darden, Yale, IE.

Could you please review the information and give me your comments?

Thank you for your assistance,
Niladri.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask Clear Admit | Wed Dec 15, 2010 3:24 pm

Stacey Oyler: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 900; Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 amFollowed by: 81 members; Location: San Francisco, CA; Thanked: 106 times

by Stacey Oyler » Wed Dec 15, 2010 4:18 pm

Hi,

Thanks for your post. You seem to have a solid profile both professionally and academically. That being said, you will want to highlight the activities and personal interests that make you unique. As part of a very large applicant pool, your biggest challenge will be standing out.

It appears you have quite a few activities outside of work. Try to find a way to incorporate your leadership and/or team experiences from these activities into your essays. This is a great way to distinguish yourself and be remembered by the adcom.

In regard to your school selection, you have a good mix of top programs. Nine schools is a lot, but by applying to so many you are greatly increasing your odds of success and will hopefully have some decisions to make in the not too distant future.

Best,

Stacey

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Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
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becnil: MBA Student; Posts: 170; Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:01 amFollowed by: 8 members; Location: Durham, NC; Thanked: 20 times; GMAT Score:740

by becnil » Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:23 pm

Hello Stacey,

Thanks much for your response and suggestions. I received my decision from Chicago Booth today, and I am Waitlisted. Stanford and Wharton rejected me. Do you think, based on my earlier post, I have to clarify my career goals and the necessity for an MBA any further?

Also, in some places I read that B-schools prefer candidates who could be easily placed in the private sector. My goals indicate working for international development, which is an uphill task for career service. Could that be a factor in the decision?

Thank you again for your help,
Niladri.

Stacey Oyler: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 900; Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 amFollowed by: 81 members; Location: San Francisco, CA; Thanked: 106 times

by Stacey Oyler » Thu Dec 16, 2010 2:13 pm

Hi,

As much as it wasn't the news you were hoping for, being on the waitlist isn't such a bad thing. It means the school views your application favorably. Being on the waitlist gives you the opportunity for self reflection which can be a good thing. However, in your case, I don't think your goals were/are the issue. Bschools certainly are supportive of applicants who wish to join the private sector after graduation, but joining the public sector is a logical goal and a growing trend among applicants.

Please remember, the adcom isn't there to decide if you will be able to achieve your goals, but rather if they seem convincing, well thought out and attainable. As long as you did your research and thoroughly connected the dots between your current role, the need for an MBA and your goals then you should be in good shape.

Best,

Stacey

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